LAPD posts $1 million reward for ex-cop Christopher Dorner

Los Angeles
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The Los Angeles Police Department has posted a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner, 33, suspected of killing a police officer and members of the family of a retired officer.

Police believe the killings were in retaliation for the dismissal of the former officer from the LAPD in 2008.

Reuters reports that the Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, said the reward is the largest ever offered in southern California in a criminal investigation. Beck explained that the sum was raised from private donations, police unions, businesses, city and county governments.

LAPD announced the reward as law enforcement agents continue the manhunt for the suspect, a former US Navy reserve officer. According to Reuters, Beck described the hunt for Dorner as the most extensive ever in the Los Angeles area.

In a statement at a news conference, Beck said Dorner has committed "an act of domestic terrorism." He said: "This is a man who has targeted those who we entrust to protect the public. His actions cannot go unanswered."

Beck told reporters that investigators were making progress but declined to give details because he believes that if he is still alive Dorner would be following media coverage of the manhunt.

Police said that the search for Dorner continues to center around the San Bernadino Mountains northeast of Los Angeles after a burnt pickup truck belonging to him was found abandoned near a ski resort in the Big Bear Lake area on Thursday.

Digital Journal reports police found the truck soon after the suspect allegedly shot and killed one officer and wounded two in Corona and Riverside east of Los Angeles.

According to Digital Journal, Dorner claims that authorities dismissed him from the LAPD wrongfully for blowing the whistle on a case of police brutality. In a rambling 11-page manifesto, the former Navy lieutenant promised to unleash "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty" in retaliation for his dismissal from LAPD. He wrote: "I never had the opportunity to have a family of my own, I'm terminating yours."

In an act of brutal revenge, he shot and killed Monica Quan, 28 and her fiance Keith Lawrence, 27. Quan was the daughter of Randy Quan, a retired police officer who represented Dorner's appeal against his dismissal. Dorner accuses Randy Quan of incompetent handling of his appeal following his dismissal from LAPD on the allegation that he made false statements accusing a superior officer of brutality against a mentally handicapped and homeless man.

Reuters reports that Beck announced on Saturday that LAPD has reopened inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Dorner's dismissal from the LAPD to "reassure the public that their police department is transparent and fair." Digital Journal reports questions have been raised based on accusations of victimization, corruption and lack of transparency that Dorner made against the LAPD in his case.

The police have also launched an inquiry into an incident in which, according to Digital Journal, police officers accidentally shot two women in a pickup truck that matched the description of the truck Dorner was believed to be driving at the time he shot and killed a police officer.